Robert S. Thompson Ph.D.
1114 Standard Building
Office Phone: 404-651-1731
Spring Semester 2003
Office Hours: As posted or by appointment.
Digital Audio Post-Production
Center for Audio Recording Arts (CARA)
School of Music, Georgia State University
MTM 3230 - M/W 11-12:15 1100 Standard
URL: http://cara.gsu.edu/courses/MI_323/index.htm
Prerequisites: MI Recording Majors only or consent or instructor, MTM 3110, Physics 2030K, Music Theory Sequence
Texts and materials:
The Audio Workstation Handbook - Rumsey (required)
Computer Sound Synthesis - Miranda (required)
Thompson et al: Selected pre-prints/reprints, Web texts
MicroSound Manual, Micro Technology Unlimited (student Xerox)
DAT tapes, CD-R recordable CDs, Cassette tapes
It is recommended that you begin with one DAT tape, 120 minutes in duration and purchase more materials as needed throughout the quarter.
Course aim: This seminar will introduce the concepts and techniques of digital post-production, editing and signal processing techniques, which are by now ubiquitous within the field of audio production. The focus of our study will be the MicroSound Digital Audio Workstation and associated software used to accomplish the following general tasks: sound editing, audio restoration and forensics, mastering and post-processing and data and audio compact disc creation.
Specific Technical Agenda using MicroEditor Software: (not in order of presentation)
digital recording
multi track audio design
automated mixing
post-equalization
CD master preparation
audio forensics
noise removal
digital signal processing applications
The goal of our activity will be to facilitate exploration and experimentation so that each student may develop technical facility in audio post-production which matches his or her own artistic sensibility and personal goals.
Assignments and Grading Policy:
There will be a number of guided projects, assigned throughout the semester, which will address the various uses and applications of the MicroSound DAW. These are outlined at the webpage for this course. In addition to these tasks there will be two examinations. As with MTM-3110, students may expect a reasonable number of quizzes on material covered in lecture and assigned reading. Marks on quizzes will be averaged.
Task I: 15% – Due: Feb. 17, 2003 - playback session in class!
Task 2: 15% - Due: Mar. 10, 2003 - playback session in class!
MIDTERM EXAM: 25% - DATE: TBA
Task 3: 15% - Due: Apr. 7, 2003
Task 4: 15% - Due: Apr. 28, 2003
FINAL EXAM: 25% - DATE: TBA
Quiz Average: 10%
Lecture
and Lab Components
There
will be 3 hours of lecture per week for this course and students are expected
to complete a further 3 hours (minimum) of laboratory time.
Academic Policies Relating to this Course:
This is a lecture and laboratory course and these policies apply to both the lecture and laboratory components.
1. Attendance Policies and Consequences of Non-Attendance and Tardiness:
Prompt, consistent attendance is required and will be considered in determination of grades. Record of attendance begins on the first day of class. Requests for excused absences should be submitted to the instructor in advance of the absence. Failure to attend class regularly may result in your withdrawal by the instructor and a grade of W or WF for the course. After four unexcused absences the instructor may withdraw the student.
Being late to class is disruptive to the instructor and the rest of the students attending. Please make every effort to be in class on time. A student will be considered tardy 10 minutes after the scheduled start time of class. Three tardies will equal one absence.
2. Excused Absences:
Excused absences for illness or other urgent reasons will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Except in cases of emergency, your absences should be cleared in advance of class time. If, in the judgment of the instructor, the number of excused absences compromises your ability to meet the objectives of the course, you will be advised to withdraw or take an Incomplete.
3. Incomplete (I) grades:
The grade of I will be given only to students who have completed the majority of the course work and for a non-academic reason beyond their control have been unable to complete the semester (e.g. take the final exam, submit final paper, perform jury, etc.).
4. Withdrawal (W/WF):
Prior to the mid-point of a grading period a student may withdraw (or be withdrawn by the instructor) and receive a grade of W. Withdrawal without penalty is not permitted following the midpoint of the grading period when the grade WF will be assigned. Last day to withdraw with a W: March 11, 2002.
5. Grading Determination:
In addition to numerical and letter grades for project, tests and the like, factors such as attitude, professionalism and consistency of quality in assignments will be considered in awarding the final grade. Students are invited to discuss these aspects of their grade with the professor at any time.
6. Late and Incomplete Work:
In general, late and incomplete work is not acceptable for a university level course. Assignments, tests, projects and the like will be discounted one grade point for each day they are late. After three days of lateness a grade of F will be assigned.
Please refer to the GSU General Catalog for college and university policies on grading, academic honesty and related issues.
Attendance, Laboratory Time and Security Issues:
Attendance: After 4 unexcused absences the professor reserves the right to drop a student from the course. Attendance and class participation is highly encouraged.
Laboratory Time: Lab time will be available to students in this course working independently and in pairs or small groups. Some of the projects will be group projects and some will be pair projects. One project is independent. Lab times will be assigned and scheduled throughout the semester according to CARA policies of advance booking.
Laboratory Assistants: There are three laboratory assistants in the Center for Audio Recording Arts – Alejandro Marin, Andrea Bailey and George Box. They are available to you to help with specific questions and facilitate your project development. These are capable individuals and each possesses thorough knowledge of CARA and the policies.
Security Issues: Only those individuals enrolled for credit in a course taught in the Center for Audio Recording Arts (CARA) and who have paid the laboratory fee will have access to the facility. Furthermore, depending on the course and the level of the students technical skills, as designated by the various courses, various aspects of the studio will be available for use. No keys for the facility will ever be issued to students.
It is crucial that no guests be invited into the CARA facility without prior clearance and that you do not allow any persons without identification into the facility under any circumstance. Failure to comply with this rule and other rules of the Center will result in your being dropped from the course and the loss of studio access.
Laboratory Fee: In keeping with policies in place elsewhere in the School of Music and in other academic departments there will be a Laboratory Fee in effect for each of the studio courses offered in the Center for Audio Recording Arts. This fee is necessary for studio maintenance costs and upgrades. The fee is $50.00.
To pay your fee go to the University Bookstore and purchase fifty dollars ($50.00) of Cash Cards. Bring these cash cards to Mr. Alan Barrett in the 5th Floor of the Haas-Howell Building for payment. She will give you a receipt for the transaction. Bring this receipt to me for the issue of an official CARA ID Badge. Studio access will be denied until you have been issued a CARA ID.
CARA ID BADGES: All persons working in the studio complex must carry with them their Student ID card and also a valid CARA ID BADGE. This is extremely helpful to the administration as an aid to identifying authorized persons quickly. Lost or destroyed badges will be replaced free of charge, but replacement will take at least one day. Keep the receipt for your fee payment.
Note: Studio access will not be granted without a CARA ID BADGE. Please protect your badges and do not forget them when coming to the studio. GUEST CARA ID BADGES are available for loan from Dr. Thompson, if you want to bring a guest with you. Please get these badges in advance and return them promptly.